Alkaline Earth Metals

Ben Reichart and Joe Coronelli

Alkaline earth metals are the 2nd group of periodic elements and they are in periods 2-7. The elements included in our group are Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium, Barium, and Radium. Alkaline earth metals are solids, and three physical and chemical propertys are:

Physical Properties:

1. Alkaline earth metals have a higher melting point than other metals in different groups.
2. Alkaline earth metals are relativly dense.
3. And finally, alkaline earth metals are relatively hard.

Chemical Properties:

1. All of the alkaline earth metals form an oxide (rust) on thier surface at room temperature (except for Beryllium).
2. All of the alkaline earth metals (except Beryllium) reduce water and dilute acids to hydrogen.
3. Magnesium can reduce, and burn in, carbon dioxide.

Interesting facts about the alkaline earth metals group:

1. Normally found in the Earth's crust.
2. They normally conduct electricity well.
3. They are extremely reactive and radium is radioactive and harmful to life.

Common uses for our group:

1. Beryllium is used in nuclear applications, is lightweight, and is as strong as steel.
2. Radium is used in cancer treatment because it conducts radioactive waves.
3. Calcium is neccesasary for healthy, strong bones, and assists nerves and blood coagulation.

an example of an alkaline earth metal

some of the alkaline earth metals

The white area is where the alkaline earth metals are located on the periodic table.

Cited Sorces

1."Group 2- Alkaline earth metals." Www.rsc.org. Winter 1998. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. <http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/visualelements/Pages/data/intro_groupii_data.html>.


2 .Carondelet.net. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. <carondelet.net/.../Pictures/berylliumrock.jpg>.

3. Bentor, Yinon. "Periodic Table: Alkaline Earth." Chemical Elements. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. <http://www.chemicalelements.com/groups/alkaline.html>.


4. Wikipedia- image. Wikimedia. Web. 20 Oct. 2009. <schools-wikipedia.org/images/159/15979.jpg>.


5. Yahoo answers. Yahoo. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071011080751AAFH4K3>.


6. Alkaline earth metals. Hcc and mnscu. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <www.hcc.mnscu.edu/.../ alkaline_earth_metals.jpg>